To all GRIP members and friends —— This is what YOU can do!!
In cooperation with the Town of Southampton and with special thanks to Supervisor Patrick Heaney, this is our first major step in the project to save the 106th ANG. Every elected official needs to know that there are constituents in their communities who are in support of a particular idea, program project or concept. ALL of our electeds agree on the need to keep the 106th ANG here on Long Island and they have asked us to provide that support by gathering signatures, writing letters to them directly and sending comments to the newspapers for publication. We are kicking off our GRIP signature gathering campaign now and expect to continue through the end of 2004. We are asking each of you to serve as a focal point in the collection of signatures on the letter that is attached. Please reproduce the letter ask people people to sign, collect and send them to us. If you cannot reproduce the letter we’ll give you as many as you need – just let us know.
Anyone can sign but we prefer that they be Suffolk or Nassau County residents. Among the key points to remember is that this is a totally non-partisan issue affecting all of us regardless of political affiliation. You can also dowload a copy of the press release about our community meeting in Remsenburg and/or a copy of the editorial in the August 17, 2004 Newsday. Additional supportive editorials have appeared in the Southampton Press, Suffolk Life and The Independent.
Our “Signature” campaign will continue through the end of December 2004. We encourage everyone to sign the letter and return it to GRIP. We want to see other organizations such as civic groups, homeowners associations, VFW’s, PTA’s, fire departments or any group that can distribute and/or collect these letter to participate. It would help our budget (we are non-profit) if groups could duplicate the letter as needed. If not, we can and will provide them (the letters) for free.We are also asking store owners to put the letters on their counters and to ask customers to sign in support of the 106th. We are also able to provide speakers for group meetings to discuss and explain why this is so important.
Of course we want to urge people to write letters to the editor in publications and to write directly to everyone of our electeds. Every voice and letter matters.
The letters can be sent directly to GRIP or you can collect and mail them to us or we can collect them periodically. If you have any questions or problems at all please e-mail.
Sincerely,
Hank Beck
GRIP, Inc.
